Leicester v Bath predictions and rugby union tips: Bath can keep it respectable

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Leicester v Bath in the Gallagher Premiership.

Where to watch

Live on BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Leicester to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 11-4 bet365

Match preview

In the 1990s Leicester and Bath were the kings of English rugby, regularly duelling for the title. It's been a mixture of good and ill fortune for both clubs since but this season the old rivals are as far apart as they've ever been.

The Tigers stand top of the table with a 100 per cent record but Bath are stranded at the bottom with no wins in six and alarm bells have been ringing around the Rec.

Both teams are hit by international absences for this showdown but Leicester made light of their losses last week as they ran out 55-26 winners at East Midlands rivals Northampton.

Not only have they won all seven of their matches, they have covered the handicap every time too, although they are faced with their stiffest task in this fixture with the line set in the high teens.

Five of Bath's defeats have come by 14 points or fewer, but the exception was a 71-17 hammering at the hands of Saracens, and judging by last week's performance at Northampton, Leicester could be every bit as ruthless.

Leicester's biggest wins have come on the road this season but they have faced tougher tests at home with visits from Exeter and Sale, both semi-finalists last season, plus title-favourites Sarries.

Since their Sarries horror show, Bath started brightly against Harlequins, leading 17-12 at the break before going down 34-17, while in last week's 27-17 defeat at home to Wasps they had to play most of the second half with 14 men.

There are promising young players in the squad while fly-half Danny Cipriani has given the side plenty of composure, so it may be too soon to give up on them getting out of their current hole.

The Tigers should win comfortably enough but it may not be a blowout and a margin of 11 to 20 points looks the best bet.

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